Homemade Leather Holsters

[RiverRat]

Four new starts, two pistol, two revolvers. The two top ones are three layers (pancake tops only) with red suede in the middle of sandwich. They didn't come out like I had hoped, but will see how they finish out. The little cutouts are a whole lot of work. I could have made three holsters in the same amount of time. Will post when finished.

[RiverRat]

Well, life is a series of learning experiences you live through.....
Lots of here learning;
-Neither of the top two holsters are the colors started with....covered mistakes with darker dyes.
-lots of trouble using the dyes. Not to be confused with paint.
-the TI holster (top) lost all tooling with the molding (look at tooling on the earlier post), yet the R holster did not lose tooling during the molding, done at the same time, same process???..???
-the tooled/cut out top layer (R holster, top) should be dyed and sealed before molding??? maybe...black dye runs on red suede when wet.
-dye easily wicks into places you don't want it to go.....or doesn't where you want it.


-the dye colors change with the sealer, about 5 levels darker, the lighter color in the fill on the holster bottom left WAS the original color of the darker one on the right UNTIL I sealed it with a water based Elmer's glue-like dye sealant. I only used nuetral shoe polish on the one on the left (light one).


These did so well until molding and dyeing....art went to mess pretty quickly. Luckily, they will work well as holsters......they hold the guns effectively.


I originally cut these for pistol, but measure too tight, so changed plan and made 5" 1911 holster instead.


Other side comment is that these won't be fast draw because I didn't consider being able to get your shooting grip when drawing your weapon without readjustment of your hand on the grip. Movement of hand position is very slght, but still there. To under-cut these to compensate loses the belt loop position high up on the pistol....with 1911's being grip (ammo)heavy, you want as much support as high up on the gun as you can get it (without affecting the draw grip and feeling floppy like "standing around" competition holsters).

These are all full coverage, high support, full support pasture / hunting holsters.

[RiverRat]

Did one for my 7.5" Colt 45 SAA.



Lots of different experiments in this one......double layered with tool side out on all sides.....ought to work good in the pasture.

[BigD_htl]

yall've got me all revved up, now i want to make a holster

does anyone know where i can buy the leather in small quantities? i really only need about 3 sq ft.

thx
-David

[RiverRat]

Tandy Leather is where I have been getting leather. It's a little hit or miss as to the different kinds of leathers that they have that they are calling the same, particularly when it comes to stiffness and finish. Some leathers are better than others, and the folks at my store can't tell me why . I notice that the "pro's" like Tucker specify the exact leather and weights from a known source.

For single layer, I've been using 6oz to 8oz.
For doubled layers (stronger and stiffer), I've been using 3 to 4oz and crossing the grain, seems to make it stiffer and keep the top opening shape for reholstering, ....or less likely to get squashed in the draw .

Good luck, it's fun, at least for me. Wish I had more time to play with it.

[Baba Brad]

I deicded to try my hadn at making my own holster also. My first effort was "okay" but these 2 came out really well. NOthing fancy, simple slide style that hold my gun tight and close to my body. Both are very comfortable, been wearing one of them every day for about a week now.





This was my first attempt




Wanted holsters that were sturdy and practical. I'm currently working on a crossdraw holster for my Beretta 950. Designed to be worn at about the 11 o'clock position. Handy while driving. The next few holsters I work on I'll try a bid of embellishments, stamping borders and such.

Off to Tandy for more leather...

[Ashlar]

Here are the two I recently made.

Being a kid in the 70's, I was into leather working waaaay back in the day. I can't even imagine how many wallets, pocket knife holders, and bracelets I made.

I've since adjusted the straps to have it ride higher.






This is after dyeing but before finishing. I actually molded this one too tight, had to relax it a bit to draw when it was belted on.




Oh, and a single mag holder..

[particle]

Here is a couple of my most recent holsters.

[Keith B]

Very nice looking rigs there Particle!!

[joe817]

Particle, beautiful leather work!

Ashlar, that is one good looking holster. A lefty tuckable no less! I appreciate the difficulty that left handed people go through to get a good quality holster, because I'm left handed.

[particle]

Thanks fellas! It's been a fun hobby to learn.

[Ashlar]

Same here, Particle. Personally, I enjoy the design as much as the execution.

[Baba Brad]

My newest. I actually did some decoration on this one. Basic pancake design for my SW40VE.

[particle]

My newest. I actually did some decoration on this one. Basic pancake design for my SW40VE.

Hey there! Just saw this on the Leatherworker.net. Nice to see you're a TexasCHL user too! I love how you used an accent color on your holster. I've been thinking about doing this on my next one.

[Baba Brad]

My newest. I actually did some decoration on this one. Basic pancake design for my SW40VE.

Hey there! Just saw this on the Leatherworker.net. Nice to see you're a TexasCHL user too! I love how you used an accent color on your holster. I've been thinking about doing this on my next one.

Thank you. I tend to prefer basic colors or twotone stuff. River rat makes some beautiful stuff, but it's not me....

Your holsters are really nice. Simple, yet elegant. The kind of work I'm striving for. My next holster for me is going to be an IWB. I love my Supertuck, but want to see if I cna make an IWB that's as comfortable and durable as my OWBs.